It's been very interesting to watch the Olympics here. Sadly, we managed to miss all of the gymnastics, but we've been catching swimming, diving, trampoline, track & field, and many other fun events.
Apart from the fun of the games, though, has been the very different type of coverage that they have here in Italy. The events are generally shown in great depth. You see, for example, a full 40 minutes (or more! I lost track!) of fencing. Without commercials. There have been no replays of injuries or disappointments that I have seen. And the commercials? Generally not really tailored to the Olympics at all (and remarkably few -- maybe 5 in a row, but then you have none for another 30-45 minutes). The level of continuity is really, really refreshing. Although (confession time) I didn't really need to watch an hour of shooting (don't know the name of the actual event) this morning. Not much to watch there: grown men lying on their bellies & a target overlaid next to them in the frame...
Cute note: breaststroke is called "rana" ("frog") here.
One thing I'm missing (not really, but let's have some fun here): the commentators' idiotic comments. They're either not making them, or I just don't understand enough Italian (more likely). So -- in the interest of making my Olympic games the most complete possible, will you please post the most stupid comments that you hear? Our favorite from the 2012 Olympics: "If he can get some more of those stratospheric airs it will potentially probably increase his score" (about the half pipe, I think). Bring on the Commentator Olympics!
Love,
Alexandra
The gymnastics commentator (not sure what his name is) has two favorite words: "HORRIFIC" and "DISASTROUS" I can predict when he'll use it (when someone falls off the balance beam, for example), and he uses it no less than 3-4 times per hour. ;)
ReplyDeleteOur commentators seem to be saying "and ANOTHER medal for team GB" quite a lot...... ;) !!!!!
ReplyDeleteOn our way to London now for the olympics with the boys..seeing synchronised swimming on Monday. Yipppeeee
ReplyDeleteSince Katelyn is such a volleyball player, I have become enthralled in that. Pursuant to the Hooks American Style, we have bagged the TV so I only see the games when I am out. That means I miss a lot.
ReplyDeleteI am sitting here on this Sunday morning with my coffee reading all of your enjoyable posts. I think you are 6 hours ahead of me, so you are probably napping. Today will be rainy in Atlanta, like yesterday and several more days ahead so we are cleaning house. It is 2009 after all!
Definitely naptime! We actually PAID someone to do the "final" cleaning after we were gone. That has to be noted as one of better decisions based on reducing stress levels. And those who have been in the house say she has done an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for removing the idiot box. For me, truly the Olympics are the main downside. So I become virtually a houseguest at friends' houses for those two weeks...
And I miss my Olympics houseguest!!!
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